Aaron Humphreys

Hello new connections from #FSBScotland yesterday I'm running regular online events to help you make your website more successful, book your place here: polyspiral.com/events SEO You Can Do testimonial from Kate Kelly “Polyspiral’s excellent “SEO You Can Do” seminar on Zoom was a really helpful no-nonsense session, full of lots of clear explanations in ordinary language. I left with lots of answers, and a To Do list! I am a volunteer with a not-for-profit organisation (Stowmarket Carnival) & find myself having to manage a website with only the very basic understanding of the technologies involved. And all too often trying to get more information involves impenetrable jargon and unending sequences of abbreviations. Oh, and lots of dubious advice, often based on out of date information. This seminar was clear & straightforward, and I particularly liked the opportunity to ask questions at every stage, and the follow-up email with useful information. I would recommend this session for anyone wanting to understand how to get found on the web” – Kate Kelly, source Google Reviews

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If you're looking to up your accessibility game, your search is over. Join my colleague and accessibility guru Grant for some insights and guidance next Wednesday!

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Red Flag Clients for Design Agencies (or any professional service provider) Ever encountered a client who gives you that feeling of... anxiety, headache, overwhelm, guilt, or at worst actually causes you mental health issues? Here are some red flags to watch out for. Frequent Scope Changes They change project scope frequently without acknowledging added costs or timelines. These clients don't understand that more work means more time and money. Delayed or Inconsistent Communication Communication is sporadic at best. They take weeks to reply to an email, slowing down the project's progress. Unwillingness to Provide Necessary Materials They don’t provide essential project materials on time. Expect project delays because they haven’t sent high-resolution images or content. Lack of Respect for Professional Expertise They insist on design choices that defy industry best practices. They ignore your expertise and want things done their way, even if it’s not the best approach. Payment Issues They have issues sticking to the payment schedule. They haggle over previously agreed-upon terms or even try to negotiate lower rates mid-project. Warning Signs of a Problematic Client Detecting a problematic client early can save you a lot of trouble. Here are some warning signs: Lack of Clarity Initial meetings lack clear project goals or expectations. They're confused, and that confusion will likely carry through the project. Impatience They exhibit impatience or frustration with the process early on. If they can't handle the initial stages, imagine the endgame. Communication Issues Difficulty establishing consistent lines of communication. If they can't talk to you now, they won't talk to you later. Skepticism They’re skeptical about following your professional advice. If they don’t trust your expertise, it’s going to be a bumpy road. Payment Reluctance Early signs of reluctance or pushback on payment terms. If they’re already quibbling over money, expect more of the same. Share your experiences!💬 #DesignStudio #ClientManagement #RedFlagClients

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When giving design feedback, remember: it’s not going on your fridge. You likely aren’t the user or audience. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like the colour or your wife thinks it needs to be green. Stakeholders: help your designers out by asking what specifically they are looking for feedback on. Keep your feedback objective and in context of the objective and brief. Ask questions. Designers: give context, explain your designs and how they meet the brief or user story. Help your stakeholders to help you. Ask questions.

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Talk to your users, and if you don't have users... Do this: 1. Find out who your perfect user is 2. Reach out to them 3. Ask them for an interview, alpha test or prototyping session 4. Write down their comments 5. Promise them a discount once the software is out Not being live yet is no excuse to skip customer discovery. Pro Tip: Build a quick landing page to find even more test users. Any other tips to talk to potential users?

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There's been so many conversations like this on Design's death this year. But if our approach and work at ZeroSixty Design is anything to go by, design practices are maturing and evolving. It's easy to point at signs of Design's demise because: - What some teams / agencies used to sell no longer works - The working cultures they were comfortable in no longer exist - New tech and tools make them feel estranged from how they worked - The bar for the value clients expect is higher - The way results are measured are sharper - Many orgs over-indexed in the good times - The way design operated as a function has evolved Are all these changes a step forward. No, not always. In the last year alone, the way ZeroSixty has been working has led to some of the most fascinating and fun projects I've ever worked on. And some of the introspection we now see is definitely a positive step forward. It points to an evolving industry, not a dying one. #designforimpact #experiencedesign #designagency #design

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So glad I managed to attend UX Brighton on Friday. Top notch speakers for an obvious but tricky theme: UX & AI. Some personal highlights: - Pablo Stanley's contagious energy, humour and eye-candy slides somehow managed to show really practical "why did I put this button here" advice. Proper Design class! >> check his Lummi app https://www.lummi.ai/ - Maggie Appleton perfectly encapsulated why AI is breaking the free Internet and what possible (mostly-depressing) futures await us. PS: it's all here >> https://lnkd.in/ek6wJ6V8 - Glenn Jones's text-to-functional-UI demo left some speechless. A glimpse into a future of use-once UIs generated on the fly. - Hannah Beresford's solid research work laid out why AI tools don't work yet and what to do about it. - Will Taylor's historical framework was the perfect conference intro and a useful tool to clarify "which AI for which situation". A few reflections: - There are identified ways make chatbot-style AI UIs more usable... but the single box to "ask anything" is far from the being the most useful interaction paradigm. - AIs are rubbish at context, societal norms and verbal cues. It's best to think of them as a smart alien rather than a human. - Data-led products, like AI-driven ones, need to be user tested in context, with real data. Smoke & mirrors prototypes or static mockups are pointless. - It did made me want to work on AI products and try more AI tools! - Also, not one mention of sustainability?? It feels like the elephant in the room. Overall, such an awesome day with Joanna Rusznica Laura Pison David Man Jess Judge Rachel Ward Kounnas Caroline Gardiner Andrew Wood Rosie FitzGerald Carolyn Letts #uxbri #uxbrighton #uxbrighton2024 #ai #ux #design

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Time for some brutal honesty: are you sabotaging your design success? 🎙️ In today’s episode (113) of the Design Business Freedom podcast, we’re diving into some hidden ways you are unknowingly holding yourself back. These insights come straight from practical, real-world conversations I’ve had with designers over the past 30 days—so it’s fresh, relevant, and essential. 🔎 One surprising truth: Advertising isn’t the magic bullet you might think. 👉The most powerful client connections? They’re happening offline, at events, hobbies, and gatherings. And here’s the kicker: while processes are vital, they don’t mean much without quality leads. It’s time to refocus on connecting with clients who align with your vision—and grow your business with confidence. Tune in now and get one step closer to claiming the success you deserve! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gbCmQqeY . . . #clientconnections #interiordesignerslifestyle #interiordesignercommunity

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How I use Design to find the Gaps!     Everyone wants to find the White Space where their products can thrive Most people use all sorts of complicated methods to get there But there is a more organic way to find those sought after gaps We use the Design Process to identify White Space and create new opportunities   It’s really all about identifying where existing products fall short… where new needs are emerging… where new tech is going… and where direct and in-direct competitors aren’t reaching   And the great thing about it… it’s actually part of the Design Process already   Designers… we’re not like most people… we are trained and conditioned to see what isn’t immediately visible… to look for the space between what exists and what could be   When Designers evaluate a market… we look for more than just products and features… we look through a lens that also considers form, function, usability, aesthetics, trends and the unspoken desires of users… to find those Opportunity Gaps   These Opportunity Gaps… White Space… are opportunities for meaningful differentiation   When we watch how people interact with products… we identify nuances… missed opportunities… that can lead to truly meaningful solutions    I worked with companies of all sizes for 25 years to design and develop new products and experiences and here are some of the things I use to get to the Opportunity Gaps Let’s dig in…

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"In the digital world, a frustrating pattern has emerged—a cycle that starts with promise, slides into mediocrity, and leaves users and businesses disillusioned. This is 'enshittification' (shoutout to Kouch Culture friends), the decline of once-unstoppable platforms. It seems these platforms always seem to meet a slow, painful end. So, what’s the takeaway? Enshittification isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a warning. Users should stay mindful of where they invest their time, exploring new platforms that put them first. For businesses, it’s about diversifying—don’t rely on one platform to define your brand. Ultimately, success comes from making a living, not a killing. The platforms that survive will be those that balance user satisfaction with growth. For more, head to Rosie Lee Groups Unorthodox Blend on Substack

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“I don’t have the budget for design.” That’s the reality for new/small business owners and freelancers (who aren’t designers). But it doesn’t mean they don’t want good design for their business or brand. So I created an offer which doesn’t require a lot of investment and still gives you fab design. It’s a one hour Zoom call, where you get to see your design needs met, questions answered, and ideas come to life! Called the ‘design dash’ - it’s AU$350 and I go out of my way to make sure you walk away with a lot. Find out what ‘a lot’ means, and if the design dash is right for you - https://lnkd.in/dG7D3zjN When you do find even a small budget, this will be worth your time! — It’s Ritika - communication designer to clients who like to keep it simple. I truly want you to have access to good design.

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Boosting subscriptions with Headway's intrinsic motivators and free trials 💡 UX Design Tip #04 🪄 Know your user's goals. It's your key to transforming users into paying customers. Identify their needs, provide the solution, and they'll stick around. Motivators 👉 buyers Headway emphasises 'finish more books', using its paywall to guide readers. Pro UX tip: offer a free trial, precise payment dates and handy notifications. Is this useful? Let me know in the comments below or save it for later 👇 #ux #uxdesign #psychology #product

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I messed up... Business has been booming. BUT - The unlimited design model just isn't the right fit a lot of the time. I quickly realised clients don't know what they need. They want to lean on our expertise and have back-and-forth conversations that help get the best out of the design and build of their product. That's why I made the decision to pivot the model and add two new models to Technically Creative's offering. We won't just blindly rely on your team to submit design briefs they 'think' the business needs. We integrate into your businesses channels and work like part of your in-house team. We have tweaked our branding and built our new website to reflect the changes. Take a look and let me know what you think 👇 https://lnkd.in/eDcZYCeh

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📣 New product offering 📣 At Hancock & Rowe we’ve channelled our passion for and specialism in user experience into crafting our new User Behaviour Audit. Through extensive user research and analysis, we help you to understand the behaviours, needs and preferences of your audience. Take a deep dive into user behaviour to:  ▫️ Gain key usability insights ▫️ Identify engagement-restricting issues ▫️ Obtain real-time feedback from product users ▫️ Receive data-driven recommendations from UX experts. The result? We deliver a comprehensive report with actionable insights, pinpointing ways in which you can improve and strengthen your digital world to better meet your users’ needs.   Make improvements through our User Behaviour Audit in 4 steps: 1️⃣ Discovery meeting to explore the questions you want answered 2️⃣ Configuration of the user behaviour application 3️⃣ UX expert analysis and review of the findings 4️⃣ Report playback meeting. Are you ready to delve deeper? More information available 👇 https://lnkd.in/e346QEYb To chat more about our new product, get in touch with our UX Director, Jason Hancock ([email protected]). #UserBehaviour #NewProduct #Insights #UX #UI

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What do Paul Scholes and Service Designers have in common? 🥁🥁 ….they are playmakers The best midfielders / Service Designers are those that: > spot the gaps and opportunities > predict how situations will play out > keep a wide view of the action > link up play, connecting the team from back to front > create moments of magic Though often both often unseen, they can be the game-changers in setting others / the org up for success What would you add to the above? P.S #GGMU 👹🔴🏆 #Design #ServiceDesign

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Here's a massive misconception for you... stack your own design board alone Wrong. It's my job and duty to help guide and inform the most crucial parts of the business to work on to get the most returns, fast. It's a collaborative effort. I think people think the design subscription model is purely just a board and you're left alone to stack in your tasks. Some people do it like this and leave you to it but... You're not mystic meg, Together we can decide where to spend design and development time to get you the most bang for your buck. Joining your business insights with my design optimisation experience that places conversion, better metrics and results at the forefront priority of the business to get it making more money. DM me the word "Collab" and we can discuss what's holding your business back from it's growth the most right now and how to fix it. #startups #business #designboard

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First up tonight is James Martin from the Co op, talking about the trials and joys of life as a UX designer whose UX journey has been informed by his ADHD and vice versa leading to 5 UX principles that helped him. 1. Start with the problem, don't solutionise 2. Design iteratively. 3. Be consistent and follow patterns 4. Strive for efficiency and repeatable patterns 5. Be empathetic..not everyone's brain works the same way

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